Part Nine as I pick two songs from every year of my life based on the songs that were important to me at the time or have had a lasting impact on the me. The ground rules are in the first entry. Rest of the list is here.

1998
“Whippin' Picidilly” - Gomez
The band that most closely resembled the Band, which is the one group I feel bad about omitting in this compilation. I thought they would really go places, connecting with audiences thirsting for groups that played well together, switched out lead vocals, knew how to harmonize and make their sound new and rooted in deep traditions. The last time I actually enjoyed myself at the god-awful Whisky, they were playing.

“Os Passistas” - Caetano Veloso
Didn't learn about the great Brazilian singer-songwriter until the mid-1980s and by then his legend was firmly established in his homeland and England where he lived when in exile. A great story about politics, identity and art, but beyond that an artist whose voice coveys soulfulness and meaning in every note.

1999
“The Face of Love” - Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Eddie Vedder
After a phenomenal life-affecting show by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan at the House of Blues, I became friendly with his promoter in the U.S. I was even fortunate enough to meet Nusrat a couple of times. Once was backstage at the Universal Amphitheater. A bunch of us gawkers — Michael Stipe, Flea, Roseanna Arquette, a few other famous types - were watching Nusrat and his band line up before taking the stage. My buddy emerges, looks over at the waiting crowd and shouts “hey Phil,” beckoning me over to where the group was gathering. Baba translated while Nusrat and I spoke. I felt like the coolest kid in school.

“She's a Jar” - Wilco
One of the few bright spots during my short residency in St. Louis was the opportunity to see this local band called Uncle Tupelo play every Tuesday night in the basement of a pizza parlor. Liked them, didn't love them, but after they broke up I was enthralled by the shows given by the two bands they split into - and they kept getting better with each subsequent tour.   

2000
“Open All Night” - Son Volt
And at one point I even though Son Volt might be the better of the two bands. This track was on a  Bruce Springsteen tribute album that was a decent effort. “Nebraska” is one of my favorite albums; this was a way to get it and Jay Farrar on the list.

“Sycamore” - Saint Etienne
The critic kicks in. A track from my favorite album of 2000. Or at least the one I deemed to be the best.

2001
“Redencion” - Cachaito
After 9-11, plenty of shows were cancelled. The first concert I attended was Chicago, just to see how “American” the night might be. A few nights later I went to see Cachaito, the bassist in the Buena Vista Social Club, wondering the opposite: will it feel foreign? Club was far too empty and yet he played like he was in a packed room back in Havana. One of my favorite albums of the year.

“Give Paris One More Chance” - Jonathan Richman
Jonathan Richman, who wrote “Roadrunner,” “Important in Your Life” and “Abominable Snowman in the Market,” is another artist my wife and I bonded over. He had to make the list and what better than way than use the tune that mentions the city in which we got engaged.

2002
“Do You Realize??” - Flaming Lips
My favorite single of the year even if it was in a computer ad.(That didn't bother me). I predict  Wayne Coyne will be much more appreciated in the second half of this century than the first. In 2060, he will be that generation's Nick Drake and the kids will wonder why the Flaming Lips were not among the biggest bands on the planet. 

“Don't Give Up On Me” - Solomon Burke
Real simple: Title track from my favorite album of the year.